10 Wellness Habits You Should Adopt for the New Year

You might be wondering why I’m writing a blog post about adopting wellness habits for the new year when it’s already March. But, to be honest, the month doesn’t matter that much, you know?

I find myself drawn to setting intentions/resolutions closer to my birthday rather than the start of a new calendar year. It’s naturally a time of growth and rebirth which lends itself to reflecting and reevaluating.

But, it’s not my birthday either which just leads me to the point that, no matter what time of year it is, you should always prioritize putting your health first!

Healthy habits are always en Vogue whether it's January or July.

this post was sponsored, some of the links below are affiliate links.
For more information please see my disclosure policy.

It seems that there’s always a latest and greatest trend in the health and wellness space, which can feel pretty overwhelming. I feel like I got a little swept up in wellness culture last year, but on the whole, I built a lot of great habits that improved my health and well-being.

So, if you’re looking to kickstart a few healthy habits pick a few of these to start!

get outside:

We’re quickly becoming an inside generation with more than a quarter of Americans never venturing outside. (source) Many of us spend a lot of time looking at screens so one of the best habits I started last year was intentionally scheduling time to get outside!

My goal is to spend a little bit of time outside daily. It's great to get the blood flowing, exercise, and clear my mind.

Last year I started walking a lot more, and the easiest ways I’ve found were getting the right clothing, walking with friends, and getting into a good book! Of course, Nala helps as well!

When it came to exercise in general, I was wearing old ratty leggings that made my legs itchy every time I wore them…. this of course never inspired me to go out and get active.

I was pretty pumped to add a few pieces from tentree to my clothing rotation. Tentree as the name implies plants 10 trees for every purchase made.

To date, they’ve planted over 41 MILLION trees all over the world in countries like the US, Madagascar, Nepal, Indonesia, and more with a goal of planting 1 billion by 2030. Each of their planting programs are designed to reforest, reestablish habitats, and provide jobs.

Tentree prioritizes sustainable fabrics, ethical production, and their clothing is versatile easily transitioning from working around the house to getting outside to running errands.

take your vitamins:

I got really into supplements last year, you can read more in this blog post, eco-friendly and sustainable supplements. I started taking a daily multi-vitamin, B vitamin, probiotics, vitamin E, CBD, and I’ve been taking collagen.

I have also been boosting my immune system during cold and flu season with zinc, vitamin D, vitamin C, and echinacea.

I know that I don’t always eat the best. When you’re working 60-70 hours things can start to slip and for me, that was consistently making food. I wasn’t eating a very balanced diet so starting my daily supplement routine was one of the best things I’ve done for my health.

I’ve really been able to tell a difference in my skin, and after my husband got the flu for two weeks, I got a really mild version. But, it was so mild that I only ran a fever for about four hours cause I had been boosting my immune system like crazy. So, now even Justin is on the immune-boosting train.

When it comes to vitamins, I’ve been very impressed with MegaFood. They’re a certified B Corporation which means they meet a strict code of social and environmental practices. 

They have a very impressive roster of certifications like non-GMO project verified, and the first supplement brand to have its entire line certified glyphosate-free, tested for pesticides and herbicides, as well as many others.

And, when it comes to taking collagen, I’m a big fan of Further Food. They have great traceability and sourcing. They’re woman-owned right here in San Francisco and while they are packaged in plastic, they use 100% post-consumer recycled plastic #2.

Using recycled plastic reduces the carbon footprint by 78%, drastically improves the carbon footprint for travel due to it being lighter than glass, it consumes 90% less energy, and it’s pure plastic (not a mix!) so it can be recycled again and again.

keep tech out of the bedroom:

I started plugging my phone in the living room at night and it has changed my nights and my mornings for the better!

Yes, I can get out of bed, walk over to my phone in the living room, hit the snooze button, and go back to bed. I’ve done it a few times, but it’s way less likely than when the phone is right next to my head and I can just hit that snooze and sink right back into my mattress.

If you’re looking at getting a new mattress, I just learned about this memory foam mattress from Amerisleep which is made mainly from soybean extracts. It’s also made with a Greenguard certified fire sock instead of traditional fire retardants.

Their foam is made in a Variable Pressure Foaming (VPF) chamber which creates virtually zero emissions and is the only method for making foam that exceeds the standards in the Federal Clean Air Act.

Amerisleep also ships their mattresses in a box made from recycled content!

go to bed early:

Anyone else start watching Netflix and say, “I’ll just watch onnneee more before getting ready for bed”?

Then one more turns into “one more,” and before you know it you’re going to bed almost two hours later than you should be…

No, just me?

To avoid this, I’ve started setting an alarm about an hour before I want to go to sleep so I can really wind down and get ready for bed.

Having this extra time makes it so much easier to stick to a good skincare routine, oral care routine (hello, flossing), and I get to snuggle up in my favorite sheets, light a candle, and read right before I go to sleep.

We spend about a third of our lives in bed so having organic sheets is really important for me. SOL Organics have an incredible product that’s organic, fair trade, and they use no plastic packaging for shipping. Their new linen collection is made from 100% European flax linen. It's naturally hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and stonewashed for softness.

Linen is also antibacterial so if you suffer from acne, switching to a linen pillowcase might help. I know it’s made a huge difference in my skin. And, if that’s not good enough SOL Organics donates $7.50 from each sale to a charitable cause.

If you’re interested in giving these sheets a try you can use the code ’GZW25’ to get 25% off your purchase.

nail that skincare routine:

Speaking of nailing that good skincare routine, I finally have the time and energy (now that I’m not going to bed 2 hours late) to consistently use a face mask. There are a few different masks I’ve been rotating between one for acne, hydration, refining.

If you’re looking for a good all-around mask you should check out this one from 23 Skin.

It’s made from seaweed that’s been responsibly sourced from the coast of Maine where Justin is from! Anything from Maine has a huge soft spot in my heart.

But, seaweed is one of the most nutrient-rich plants full of anti-oxidants, minerals, amino acids, and trace elements. It’s perfect for smoothing, re-mineralizing, and rehydrating your skin.

23 Skin is vegan, and they don’t use fragrances, GMOs, artificial colors, flavors, or fillers. If you want to give it a try you can use the code ’KATHRYN20’ for 20% off!

make a point to floss:

This should be the top of the list of things that I should be doing. But, good intentions amiright?

Thankfully, with the nighttime routine I’ve mastered (most nights) I’m getting into bed early and making my oral health a priority.

I like to use a tounge scraper, brush with my bamboo toothbrush and then use a silk dental floss.

My tongue scraper and bamboo toothbrush are from one of my all-time favorite companies - Brush with Bamboo the word's only plant-based, certified organic bamboo toothbrush on the market!

One of the best things about choosing a bamboo toothbrush over a plastic one is that you can compost the toothbrush at the end of its life! This family-run business is one I love supporting.

When you need a new toothbrush, you’ve got to check out Brush with Bamboo and you can get 10% off your order with the code ‘goingzerowaste’.

incorporate more probiotics in your diet:

I cannot recommend taking a probiotic highly enough. I found taking one to be one of my most beneficial wellness habits. My skin improved, I was more regular, I felt better, and I’m just a huge believer in balancing that gut microbiome.

There are several sustainable companies that are making probiotics.

• Seed - the first time you order, you receive a glass jar, which is shipped in a compostable mushroom tray. After that, the refills are sent in a compostable pouch which is pretty cool! You can get 15% off your order with the code ‘ZEROWASTE’

• Arkadiance - comes in a glass jar, but my favorite aspect about this pill is that it protects Urinary Tract Health with Cranberry and D-Mannose, which have been clinically proven to assist with UTIs.

• MegaFood - comes in a glass jar and they’re a certified B corporation who’s lobbying to ban glyphosate and support regenerative agriculture.

eat more plants:

Switching to a plant-based diet is one of the best things you can do for the planet as well as your health, mind, and body. Now, when I say a plant-based diet, I mean that the majority of your plate should be made up of plants.

I think the only thing that all nutritionists can agree on is that Americans should be eating more fruits and vegetables.

And, I’ve found that living a zero-waste lifestyle naturally lends itself to eating healthier. When you’re shopping for food without any packaging you eliminate a lot of processed foods so you tend to gravitate towards a diet that’s focused on those fruits and veggies.

Who’d a thought that switching to plastic-free living would be better for your waistline, the planet, and your health? And, I mean… what could be better than that?

Now, when I head to the grocery store, I like to make sure that in addition to bringing my reusable grocery bags, I also bring a few produce bags too! Simple Ecology makes a great set using organic cotton which are GOTS certified.

Be sure to check out my blog post if you’re looking for more tips on how to grocery shop without single-use plastic or creating any trash.

find a workout you love:

Now, these last two items are things that I’m really working on this year. I’ve yet to really find a workout that I love. I’ve tried spin class a few times, and I only really like it when it’s music I LOVE. Which means I’m only going when they play musical theatre songs….

I’ve tried Orange Theory once and I really liked it, but there’s not one super convenient to where I live. My husband is a big fan of rock climbing. I went with him last week and had a lot of fun, but I’m afraid of heights… so mostly stayed near the kids end which didn’t go up quite as high.

Justin got his climbing shoes from REI. And, if I find myself going with him more often, I’ll probably get a pair from them as well.

REI has a really robust secondhand marketplace for goods as well as a ton of rental options if you’re not sure you’re ready or need to own a piece of equipment.

I love REI for so many reasons but especially because they gave back more than 70% of their profits in 2018. They invested $8.4 million in 431 nonprofit partners that create access to the outdoors as well as over a million in rewilding projects.

So, right now my main form of exercise is just getting outside and going on really long walks as well as lifting some dumbells at home to try and keep my arms in shape.

When it comes to working out more sustainably my biggest tips are to remember your reusable water bottle, bring a small towel, and a small spray bottle to wipe down any machines.

There are so many great water bottle companies out there, but two that I really like are Klean Kanteen and Dopper.

As far as bringing a small towel, I love the SOL Organics hand towels. I always keep one in my workout bag, and don’t forget you can get 25% off with the code ’GZW25’.

And, I like to use this recipe to spray and wipe down my machines because it’s a great disinfectant.

I also have a full guide on sustainable and eco-friendly activewear companies as well as a YouTube video where I put several of the brands to a bend over test! See if they passed.

stretching and meditation:

This is one of the wellness habits I know I really need to build, but I've been a bit lazy about getting into a good routine.

Stretching and moving your body every day can help you get a good night's rest and improve the quality of your sleep as well as reduce stress levels.

Beyond just physical well being I'm want to focus more on my mental health this year and focus on reducing stress.

I know the fastest way to do this is to get better about meditation. I go through waves of incorporating this into my morning routine and writing this is just the kick in the pants I need to restart this daily practice.

There are a few apps that I like to use which are downdog for yoga and calm for meditation.

conclusion:

I hope that you found this blog post helpful for building a few new good habits that focus on your personal well-being.

And, honestly, there are a few I probably missed like making sure you drink enough water, getting enough sleep and the list goes on.

But, the most important thing is to just slowly start incorporating a few of these healthy habits at a time and not to get overwhelmed all at once.

This is a marathon, not a race! You should be focusing on your long-term health by creating a sustainable healthy lifestyle.

I would love to know which of these wellness habits you've nailed and which one you're working on right now?

I am definitely working on that stretching and meditation routine every day.

The 7 Types of Plastic You Need to Know

Just because there’s a recycle sign on the bottom of your plastic cup doesn’t mean it’s actually recyclable. Plastic is tricky because the stamp that identifies the type of plastic looks exactly like the chasing arrows recycle sign. This sneaky (ahem, greenwashing) has tricked A LOT of people into thinking that all plastic is recyclable and, well, it’s just not.

When it comes to recycling plastic, you need to pay attention to what’s INSIDE the chasing arrows / recycle sign - the number.

The number identifies what type of plastic it is (psst. There are seven types of plastic that you need to know and I’ll go over all of them later in this post ) and from there you can figure out if your city or county accepts it.

To make matters even more complicated, recycling rules vary from city to city and county to county.

Just because the last place you lived accepted plastic #3 doesn’t mean that your new place will.

That’s because recycling is a business! It’s so easy to think of recycling as a charity, but it’s not. Recycling depends on the markets and right now, the markets aren’t looking too hot. This is one of the reasons it’s so important to purchase products made with recycled materials, because if you’re not… are even really recycling?

I go over this pretty extensively in my blog post Recycling 101 - 5 Easy Things Everyone Needs to Know.

As of January 2018, China the largest global buyer of recycled paper and plastic placed a ban all imports of that have over a 1% contamination rate. 

To put that into perspective, the most advanced recycling facilities in the US (the ones with the lowest contamination rates) operate around a 4-5%. On the other side, some facilities have a 35% contamination rate which is absolutely mindboggling.

Contamination happens when either:

A. the wrong thing is put in the recycling bin
B. the right thing is put in, in the wrong way.

The first is an example of wishcycling. Which is when you put something in the bin HOPING that it will be recycled even though it won’t be.

Think Christmas lights, water hoses, dead animals, dirty diapers, bowling balls, shower curtains - yes these are all very common items at the recycling plant. And, no, none of them are recyclable.

When you put something in the recycle bin WISHING for it to be recycled, you do more harm than good.

When incorrect materials arrive this can clog the machines, slow down the workers, stop the machines, and create contaminated bales of recyclables that no one will purchase. I.e. result in all of the correct recyclables being landfilled.

Yep. A rogue contaminated recyclable can cause an entire BALE to go to the landfill.

The latter is when something is actually recyclable, but it’s not quite right. Paper is recyclable, but shredded paper or coffee cups (which are actually lined with plastic!) aren’t. Cardboard is recyclable, but pizza boxes are not. I could go on and on, but already have a whole series on that called How to Recycle the Right Way!

After reading all that you might be wondering, should I even bother recycling? Yes! You absolutely should, but now more than ever, we need to make sure we’re recycling properly so our materials can actually be turned into new products.

And, of course, I can’t let you get into the meat of this article without first telling you that the most eco-friendly thing you can do is to recycle LESS! Recycling should be a last resort and you can read more about it in this post Why You Should Recycle Less.

plastic #1:

Plastic #1 is made from polyethylene terephthalate and is commonly known by its street name PET.

This plastic is often clear and most commonly used for beverages like drink cups and soda bottles. ⁠
⁠
It is one of the safer plastics except for when it's exposed to heat. Antimony trioxide a flame retardent can easily leach into your beverage. This is why you’ve read numerous articles about not leaving plastic water bottles in the car.
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PET is porous so bacteria can accumulate and breed which is why it's not recommended to reuse single-use bottles over an extended period of time. ⁠
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The good news about PET is that it's one of the most valuable plastics! It has a really good domestic recycling market meaning if your polyethylene terephthalate is clean and dry it has a really good chance of being recycled. ⁠

plastic #2:

Plastic #2 is high-density polyethylene and is commonly seen with the abbreviation HDPE. 

Polyethylene is typically used to make laundry detergent jugs, milk bottles, and toys.

It’s a thermoplastic which is hard and opaque. And, out of all the plastics, if I had to choose, it’s probably my favorite. As far as we know, there are no known health concerns associated with it and it has a pretty robust domestic recycling market.

plastic #3:

Plastic #3 is polyvinyl chloride and we commonly see this plastic abbreviated with PVC. I’m sure you’ve heard of this one because what probably springs to mind are PVC pipes? At least it does for me.

PVC is used to make a number of household items like shower curtains, vinyl, cling wrap, inflatables like pool toys, flooring, car interiors, and a lot of vegan leathers.

This is a thermoplastic polymer, and a lot of plasticizers and phthalates are added to make it softer and more pliable.

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that can interfere with our body’s natural communication system. If you’re interested in learning more about the dangers of endocrine disruptors and what all of these synthetic estrogens are doing to our health I can highly recommend the book Estrogeneration How Estrogenics Are Making You Fat, Sick, and Infertile.

It was the first book read in my sustainable living book club, and I would love to invite you to join!

Plastic #3 is not recyclable in most locations.

plastic #4:

Plastic #4 is Low-density polyethylene is known by its abbreviation LDPE.

LDPE is most commonly used for grocery bags, plastic wrap on items being shipped and is the water-proof inner lining on things like coffee cups and milk cartons. 

It is a thermoplastic made from petroleum, and it can be opaque or translucent. While there aren’t any known health concerns, this plastic is very difficult to recycle.

There currently aren’t many film recycling facilities, and waste management companies do NOT accept films loose in the curbside bin. A few will accept them, but they need to be balled together inside of a larger plastic #4 bag and should be the size of a basketball before being placed in the bin.

If you are looking for a place to recycle #4 films, I know a few grocery stores and target do have film recycling drop points at the front of the store. However, there aren’t many domestic markets so most of these films are so sometimes these are landfilled.

plastic #5:

Plastic #5 is Polypropylene most commonly seen with the abbreviation PP.

PP is most commonly used for tubs like yogurt, cheese, and butter, lunchboxes, tupperware, and prescription bottles.

It’s a thermoplastic polymer making it tough, strong and is heat resistant so we often see this plastic as microwaveable and dishwasher safe. All this means is that the heat from the microwave and dishwasher won’t warp the shape of the plastic. It doesn’t mean that it’s healthy, and I would personally recommend reheating food on a plate rather than in a plastic container.

If plastic #5 is rigid, some recycling facilities may accept it, but it doesn’t have a very good domestic market so most of the time this material should be landfilled.

plastic #6:

Plastic #6 is Polystyrene most commonly seen as PS and it’s my least favorite plastic. So, if you’re keeping track. #2 is fav and #6 least fave.

This is a petroleum-based plastic that we most commonly know as Styrofoam, but it’s also used for so many other things like disposable cutlery, coffee cup lids, styrofoam cups and egg cartons, dvd cases, takeout trays, and packing peanuts.

I have a particular beef with styrofoam because it so easily breaks into tiny pieces that pollute our waterways as well as the fact that it contains toxic substances like styrene and benzene which are hazardous to human health as suspected carcinogens and neurotoxins according to the EPA and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

Most of these plastics are pretty easy to avoid when it comes to food so be sure to check out my ultimate guide to zero waste swaps from A-Z so you can learn how to easily avoid this plastic!

While there are one or two special programs that accept this material as a general guideline this is not accepted at recycling facilities.

plastic #7:

Plastic #7 is a little tricky because it can be a mixture of all sorts of plastics. It’s an “other” but sometimes you’ll see it with the initials like PC which stands for polycarbonate.

But, bioplastics are also a number seven and you might see the initials PLA and some of these can be composted in your backyard others can only be composted in an industrial facility that’s heated up to a certain degree.

But, no matter which letters you see a plastic #7 sign almost always means it’s going to the landfill.

conclusion:

I hope that you’ve found this blog post helpful if you did please share this with your friends and family. Recycling should be a last resort. It’s very important that we first reduce and reuse before we ever get to recycling. So, if you’re looking for more tips on how to reduce the waste that you produce you can get my guide How to Cut Your Waste by 80% with three small changes.

But, if you’re just looking for more recycling tips you should check out my series How To Recycle the Right Way!

The Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Cleaning

Switching to a zero-waste cleaning routine has been one of the best things I’ve done for my wallet, health, and the environment.

Switching up my cleaning caddy was one of the very first zero-waste swaps I made and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re just starting to try and reduce your waste, I think starting with your cleaning caddy is a great idea.

This post contains affiliate linking for more information please see my disclosure policy.

Most conventional cleaning products are irritating to both the nose and throat due to artificial fragrances, volatile organic compounds (the same building blocks that create smog), and other toxic ingredients. Most conventional cleaners are also packaged in plastic and many of them aren’t biodegradable meaning they won’t break down in nature.

Why are we using cleaning products that will wind up in our waterways and natural environments if they’re toxic and won’t breakdown?

cleaning supplies:

First, let’s talk about the tools we clean with. Most cleaning tools in your house are probably made from plastic, and that’s a-ok!

There’s no reason to run out and replace your cleaning supplies with plastic-free counterparts. I still have a plastic toilet brush that will probably last me for the next decade.

But, once it finally breaks and is no longer functioning, I will probably upgrade to a nice, chic bamboo one. But, I’m also really intrigued by this steel and silicone brush… I don’t know if you’d ever have to replace it.

I keep all of my supplies in a metal cleaning caddy which was a Christmas gift from Justin a few years ago. You can find a similar one online or at a your local craft store.

In my caddy, I stash a feather duster, cleaning spray, wooden dish scrubs, a hand broom, a few reusable bar towels (they’re the BEST at absorbing water), a small container of baking soda, vinegar, and a metal dustpan. 

Let’s take a closer look at some zero waste cleaning supplies:

• Feather duster: You can certainly get a plastic-free feather duster. Just be aware that most plastic-free feather dusters are made from ostrich feathers and wooden handles. I recommend getting one-second hand, so that way it’s already in existence and you’re just keeping it out of the landfill. If you feel like feather dusters just move dust around, or onto the floor, you can always just vacuum it up afterward. 

• Rags: You can use these in lieu of feather dusters to wipe up dust, or other messes. I prefer 100% cotton bar towels. They do a great job at absorbing liquid and picking up dust.

• Cleaning spray: This versatile all-purpose cleaning spray works on just about every surface, and in every room. It can be used to clean mirrors, windows, sinks, countertops and more.

• Dish scrubs: I like bamboo dish brushes because they last such a long time. There are several different kinds too – like a bamboo bottle brush which has a long handle or a handheld pot brush which I use on my tub and tile. These can be composted at the end of their life.

• Wooden hand broom + metal dust pan: If you want to sweep up some small accidents without breaking out the vacuum, get a hand broom and a metal dustpan. Mine are both secondhand so if you’re looking for something similar I’d check out an antique mall.

• Wooden broom: When you have to sweep something up, but don’t want to break out the vacuum, a classic wooden broom is the way to go. Most brooms on the market are made from plastic (including the bristles!), but you can certainly still find wooden brooms with natural bristles online, and I’ve heard a few people have had great luck at TJMaxx with finding a bamboo swiffer with a reusable and washable pad.

• Wooden toilet brush: Most toilet brushes are made from plastic. But, there are several options like a bamboo one or the steel and silicone brush I mentioned earlier.

• Mop: Finding a plastic-free mop is easy is you stick with what I like to call the old-school janitor mop. Justin insisted on having this sort of mop and since he felt so passionately about it, I told him he could have his mop if he did all the mopping. He accepted and it’s probably the best purchase I’ve ever made.

• Vacuum: I personally have a Dyson Animal, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Dyson offers a lifetime warranty, so if you do buy one of their vacuums you can feel pretty good about that purchase because heir vacuums are built to last. Fun fact: dust is compostable. Most carpet is made from plastic, but if you have 100% wool or silk rugs you can compost what’s in your vacuum.

cleaning recipes:

I like to DIY my cleaning products because it’s soooo cheap, easy, and doesn’t take much time at all. There’s also the added benefit of knowing exactly what ingredients are in your cleaners.

However, there are a few really great cleaning brands out their like blueland. They sell tablets that you mix with water in your own home, they’re also cruelty-free, zero waste, and biodegradable.

Here are a few of my favorite recipes.

• Tub scrub – This stuff is amazing and will make your tub look spotless.

• All-purpose cleaning spray - I use this to clean pretty much my whole house.

• Orange peel vinegar cleaner – All-purpose cleaner you can use on just about any surface.

• Toilet cleaner – If you want to keep your toilet bowl looking nice, give these fun DIY toilet cleaner bombs a try.

• Bleach – An all-natural bleach alternative that works.

• Makeup brush cleaner – Because makeup brushes get dirty too.

To get all of my cleaning recipes, be sure to check out my book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste!

areas of the home:

Now that you have a good idea of which tools and recipes you might want to try, here’s a little run down of how both Justin and I clean the house.

kitchen: 

Now, I typically tackle the kitchen.

After making a big meal, I tend to wash the dishes using either a DIY dish soap (recipe in my book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste) or one like Filaree.

I use my bamboo dish scrubs for things that need to be hand washed and load the dishwasher. Dishwashers do save more water than handwashing so if you have a dishwasher, load it up!

I typically use cast iron pans when cooking so here’s a blog post on how to clean those pans, if you have any which I highly recommend because they’re awesome and they’ll last forrrevverrrr.

Then lastly I wipe down my counters, oven and sink with my all-purpose cleaning spray and a rag.

bedroom: 

Now, I have a dog who just loves to snuggle in our bed which isn’t super great. So, we make sure to change our sheets every week, and always keep the pillows and top sheet covered so she isn’t rubbing all over what we directly sleep on.

One of the best ways to clean out the air in the bedroom (dog) is to simply open the window!

If you’re looking for tips on laundry, be sure to pick up a copy of my book! I’m also very spoiled because Justin does all the laundry and hangs everything to dry. It’s a total dream.

And, be sure to check out my blog post, if you’re interested in finding organic and sustainable linens for your bed.

bathroom: 

I also typically clean the bathroom, and swear by my tub scrub. Seriously. Go read the comments on that post. Everyone is obsessed. I spread the scrub all around the tub and then use a bamboo scrubber, specifically for the bathroom, to wipe away any grime.

Then I use the all-purpose cleaning spray for the toilet, mirror, and sink. I use my old plastic toilet brush for inside the bowl and rags for everything else.

floors:

Since every room has floors, I figured it’d be best to have this as a sperate entry. Justin also tackles all of the flooring. He vacuums every other day with our Dyson because Nala sheds like crazy.

Around once a month he hits the floors with a mop. He just puts a little bit of Dr. Bronners soap in the bucket to clean the floors.

Well, that’s it. That’s our big bi-weekly cleaning routine. Do you have any zero waste cleaning tips and tricks up your sleeve?